The Great Migration, the snows of Kilimanjaro and the spice islands of Zanzibar — Tanzania, Africa at its most legendary.
Tanzania is where the African safari was born a vast, varied country of endless plains, volcanic craters, snow-capped peaks, and spice-scented islands. It is home to the Great Migration, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro, yet also offers wild, uncrowded southern parks, remote chimpanzee forests and the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar. Few countries on earth hold so much within their borders. Quick Facts Capital Dodoma (Dar es Salaam is the largest city) Best time to visit June to October, with January to February for the calving season Parks & reserves 22 national parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation…
Tanzania is where the African safari was born a vast, varied country of endless plains, volcanic craters, snow-capped peaks, and spice-scented islands. It is home to the Great Migration, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro, yet also offers wild, uncrowded southern parks, remote chimpanzee forests and the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar. Few countries on earth hold so much within their borders.
Quick Facts
Capital
Dodoma (Dar es Salaam is the largest city)
Best time to visit
June to October, with January to February for the calving season
Parks & reserves
22 national parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and numerous game reserves
Time difference
GMT+3
Currency
Tanzanian Shilling
Population
Approximately 61.7 million (2022 census)
Why Visit Tanzania
The Great Migration — Tanzania’s Serengeti hosts the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth, as more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra move in a year-round cycle, from the calving season in the south to the dramatic Mara River crossings in the north.
Big game and the Big Five — Tanzania is home to all of the Big Five, with the Ngorongoro Crater among the best places in Africa to see them in a single day, including the endangered black rhino. Tarangire and Ruaha are renowned for their elephants, and Lake Manyara for its tree-climbing lions.
Beyond the plains — The remote western parks of Mahale and Gombe offer rare wild-chimpanzee encounters, while the coast and the Zanzibar Archipelago bring white-sand beaches, coral reefs and the historic lanes of Stone Town.
Spectacular scenery — From the snows of Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro Crater to the baobab plains of Tarangire and the turquoise Indian Ocean, Tanzania’s landscapes are among the most varied in Africa.
Rich culture — A land of more than 120 ethnic groups, Tanzania offers genuine cultural encounters with the Maasai of the northern plains and the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers of Lake Eyasi.
ExperiencesGame drives, hot air balloon safaris over the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro treks, walking and night safaris, chimpanzee trekking, Maasai and Hadzabe cultural visits, and Zanzibar’s beaches, diving and Stone Town.
The best time to visit Tanzania
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
- Recommended
- Transitional
- Challenging conditions
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Tanzania is a rewarding destination year-round, though the experience shifts with the seasons. The long dry season from June to October is the classic safari window, with superb game viewing and the dramatic Mara River crossings of the Great Migration in the north. January and February bring the calving season to the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, with intense predator action. The wetter months paint the landscapes green and bring lower rates and fewer visitors.
- January
- Calving season on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains; dramatic predator action and warm, mostly dry weather.
- March
- The height of calving season, with the best chance of witnessing births and hunts; excellent across the northern parks.
- April
- The long rains usually begin late in the month; early March is still green and rewarding, with thinning crowds.
- May
- The long rains continue, the quietest and greenest time of year, with the best value for those who don’t mind showers.
- June
- The dry season begins; the migration moves through the Western Corridor and game viewing sharpens across the country.
- July
- Prime safari season. The dry weather is reliable and the Mara River crossings begin in the northern Serengeti.
- August
- Excellent, dry conditions and dramatic river crossings continue; one of the busiest and best months.
- September
- Superb game viewing and continued crossings in the north, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
- October
- The last of the dry season and the river crossings; excellent wildlife viewing before the short rains arrive late in the month.
- November
- The short rains bring afternoon showers, green scenery and fewer visitors; the herds begin moving back south.
- December
- A drier spell returns by mid-month, bringing festive-season sunshine as the migration gathers on the southern plains.
Areas to visit
Tanzania's national parks are among the richest and most dramatic on the continent, spread across distinct safari circuits. The famous Northern Circuit holds the Serengeti, stage of the Great Migration; the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater; elephant-rich Tarangire; the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara; and Arusha and Kilimanjaro national parks, the latter crowned by Africa's highest peak.…
Frequently asked questions
Yes, most visitors need a visa, available in advance through Tanzania’s official e-visa portal or, for many nationalities, on arrival at the main airports. Note that Tanzania is not included in the East Africa Tourist Visa, so it requires its own visa even if you are also visiting Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda.
A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. Anti-malarial precautions are strongly recommended, and we advise consulting your doctor or a travel clinic before departure for current personal advice.
Yes. All visitors to Zanzibar must hold the island’s mandatory travel insurance, purchased through the official provider on arrival or online beforehand. It is a simple, one-off requirement, and we make sure you’re prepared for it.
Lightweight clothing in neutral colours, warm layers for cool mornings and evenings, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, and a good camera. If you’re climbing Kilimanjaro or combining it with Zanzibar, we’ll provide tailored packing guidance for each part of your trip.
The migration moves year-round through the Serengeti ecosystem. Calving takes place on the southern plains in January and February; the herds move through the Western Corridor around June; and the famous Mara River crossings occur in the northern Serengeti between roughly July and October.
Yes. Tanzania is home to all of the Big Five. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places to see them in a single day, including the endangered black rhino, while the Serengeti, Tarangire and the southern parks offer superb big-game viewing.
In the remote western parks of Mahale Mountains and Gombe, on the forested shores of Lake Tanganyika. These are among Africa’s most rewarding and exclusive chimpanzee-trekking destinations.
The waters of the Zanzibar Archipelago, along with Mafia and Pemba, are rich in coral reefs, dolphins, and sea turtles, with seasonal whale sharks off Mafia Island, a superb complement to a mainland safari.
The dry season from June to October is the classic safari window and best for the Mara River crossings, while January and February are ideal for the calving season. Tanzania rewards visitors year-round, with green-season months offering fewer crowds and lower rates.
Most journeys combine private 4x4 safari vehicles with light-aircraft flights between regions, as the distances are large. We also arrange private helicopter and flying safaris for the fastest, most scenic way to travel between the parks, the coast and the islands.
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